Father Christmas has the reindeer revved up and raring to go out on the road.

Father Christmas has the reindeer revved up and raring to go out on the road.

Little helpers from the Lions Club of Reading have been hard at work sprucing up the float that will tour the town starting Northcourt Avenue, Tilehurst today.

Lion Dave Ebsworth said it has been completely refurbished and is looking “the best it has ever done”.

And the wraps came off the smartest sleigh in town at Waitrose in Oxford Road on Wednesday evening.

Reading mayor, Councillor Jenny Rynn matched her ceremonial chain with a jaunty Santa cap for a launch spin with Santa.

Waitrose department manager Andrew Clark also hopped on board to make sure all the lights were twinkling to welcome the children.

Santa and the Lions will be collecting for Twyford-based Daisy’s Dream, which supports bereaved children and their families, at The Oracle shopping centre on Saturday, December 8. They will also be back at Waitrose between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, December 15.